I used afrin for 6 days like a complete idiot because my doctor told me it could possibly help with my tinnitus. Didn’t read the instructions. I completely cut it out today but find it hard to breath. Should I go for saline irrigation or sudafed? Don’t want it to worsen since I have an interview on Monday and am panicking right now since I was always an anxious person. Will it go away on it’s own if I don’t use either saline irrigation or sudafed within 3-5 days?
It will clear in a day or two, but it will be misery for those days. Maybe try one nostril at a time? Use saline only on one side, then once that one is okay, stop using afrin on the other?
So, I won’t be needing Sudafide? I can handle it for a day or two. Don’t think I’ll be able to sleep though. Also am I supposed to irrigate with the saline or just inhale
Use OTC Flonase. 100X better than Afrin in every way.
If you take Sudafed it will help with the rebound congestion because it shrinks the swollen tissues without causing a rebound effect.
Depends on what kind of saline it is. Stuff like Ocean is a fine mist that you inhale like regular nasal spray. Saline for irrigation is a large volume/low flow bottle or neti pot.
BTW if you want to try sinus irrigation this is a good time of year to start, with the pollen/mold/mildew flying around. It doesn’t wipe out my seasonal allergies but it makes them a lot less annoying.
If you’re going to do sinus irrigation, this is my suggestion. Get a Water Pik and get these irrigator tips that fit on the Water Pik. Buy the saline packets, mix with water and use the Water Pik to irrigate.
As mentioned, sudafed. The real deal, from behind the counter, that you need ID to purchase.
If you’re not entirely stopped up, try using a neti pot. Saline spray helps a little too, and it’s worth carrying around while you’re out. But mostly you just have to ride it out. It will go away on its own eventually, but you’ll want something to address the symptoms in the meantime. That’s what sudafed and the neti pot are for.